Impact of Teacher's mastery of subject matter and the utilization of instructional materials on the academic performance of Senior secondary school mathematics students in dekina local government

Stdy Description This study is a descriptive survey research that investigates the combined effect of teachers’ mastery of subject matter and the use of instructional materials on students’ academic performance in Mathematics. Conducted in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria, it involved 260 senior secondary school students from four purposively selected public schools. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire covering teacher competence, instructional materials, teaching challenges, and suggested solutions. Analysis was done using frequency counts, percentages, and mean score. Key Findings Students performed better when teachers had strong mastery of Mathematics and used real-life examples during lessons. Instructional materials such as charts, models, and ICT tools significantly enhanced students’ understanding, engagement, and confidence. Teachers faced challenges such as insufficient resources, lack of training, large class sizes, and time constraints. Suggested solutions included regular teacher training, provision of materials, ICT integration, and increased administrative and government support.